Philip Fitzell
asked:
Why does this masterpiece--yes, a true masterpiece--continue to collect dust on library shelves? I'm almost finished not reading but studying its verbal tapestry, so intricately woven with the emotions of its characters. The play holds together, where no thread can be pulled from it. King Lear is Shakespeare's best play. Perhaps this work is neglected, because it requires thinking on the reader's part. Sad--so sad...
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Natalie Chickey
I think it is Shakespeare's finest work, but, as a high school British literature teacher, I choose to teach Hamlet or Macbeth, as I believe they are more approachable for that age group. If I can excite my students to the great works of Shakespeare (and I am sure that I do!), then I know they will pick up Lear on their own!
Lo
I hear what you're saying, but it's simply untrue that no one reads Shakespeare anymore... King Lear has thousands of reviews. Shakespeare is read far, far, far more often than anything else from his time period, and their enduring success places them among the most popular works of all time.
While I, too, wish more people read Shakespeare, I also know better than to think that insulting people will make them more open-minded to my opinions. It's condescending beyond belief to assume that if someone isn't a fan of something, that must imply stupidity or laziness on their part. Sure, some people are lazy, but the bad reputation Shakespeare has among some folks is more easily attributed to the poor way his works are taught to kids too young for them.
Or, if you want, you can assume people who don't share your taste are morally flawed, and get angry about it. It's your life, and if that makes you happy then enjoy... as you like it!
While I, too, wish more people read Shakespeare, I also know better than to think that insulting people will make them more open-minded to my opinions. It's condescending beyond belief to assume that if someone isn't a fan of something, that must imply stupidity or laziness on their part. Sure, some people are lazy, but the bad reputation Shakespeare has among some folks is more easily attributed to the poor way his works are taught to kids too young for them.
Or, if you want, you can assume people who don't share your taste are morally flawed, and get angry about it. It's your life, and if that makes you happy then enjoy... as you like it!
Philip Fitzell
Ref: comment below. I never meant to insult anyone for not reading Shakespeare! I was just trying to convey my love for the artistic beauty in his writing. Also, no superiority of my reading taste was intended in my remarks!!! I really have a thing about literary fiction almost being eclipsed by popular fiction in today's world. The same holds for poetry and classical music.
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